diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/sip.py b/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/sip.py
index 44b5f1a9e64..691e06605db 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/sip.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/sip.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ class SIPPackage(spack.package_base.PackageBase):
     with when("build_system=sip"):
         extends("python", type=("build", "link", "run"))
         depends_on("py-sip", type="build")
+        depends_on("gmake", type="build")
 
     @property
     def import_modules(self):